Rep. Jasmine Crockett launches Senate run in Texas, shaking up Democratic primary

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, launched her run for Senate on Monday, shaking up the Democratic primary just before the state's filing deadline

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, launched her run for Senate on Monday, shaking up the Democratic primary just before the state's filing deadline.

Crockett joins the race to take on GOP Sen. John Cornyn, who is facing multiple primary challengers himself. The two-term congresswoman’s decision also comes as her Dallas-based House seat was redrawn in a GOP-led redistricting effort.

"There are a lot of people that said, 'You gotta stay in the House. We need our voice. We need you there,'" Crockett told her supporters as she launched her campaign Monday night. "And I understand. But what we need is a bigger voice."

Crockett, with a slogan of "Texas Tough," pitched herself as the Democrat best-positioned to drive out turnout and appeal to disillusioned voters, saying she can build "a strong multi-racial, multi-generational coalition," and pledged to focus on addressing the cost of living and holding President Donald Trump accountable.

Democrats have not won a statewide race in Texas in more than 30 years, but they have been eyeing next year’s Senate race as a potential pickup opportunity, with Cornyn facing primary challenges from state Attorney General Ken Paxton and GOP Rep. Wesley Hunt. Democrats need to net four seats to take back the Senate next year.